DAVID: REQUIRING PATIENTS TO UNDERGO A PSYCHIATRIC EXAM AND MAKING SHARP HAD -- FINANCES ARE NOT PART OF THE DECISION-MAKING. >> THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST EMOTIONAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION WE HAPPY FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIS YEAR. DAVID: SUPPORTERS WITHOUT A FULL-COURT PRESS TO KEEP THE LEGISLATION UNCHANGED. AMENDMENTS EXPECTED TO COME UP INCLUDE REQUIRING PATIENTS TO SEE A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL BEFORE LIFE IN THE MEDICATION COULD BE PRESCRIBED AND ENSURING THAT FINANCES ARE NOT PART OF THE DECISION. >> AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN RECEIVING MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR METASTATIC STAGE FOUR BREAST CANCER, FOR SIX YEARS, IT MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME THAT THIS BILL WILL GIVE ME THE OPTION TO DIE PEACEFULLY AND PUT AN END TO MY SUFFERING. DAVID: THE HOUSE BILL ALLOWS THE DOCTOR TO PRESCRIBE A LEGAL AMOUNT OF DRUGS TO A PATIENT WHO HAS A TERMINAL ILLNESS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS TO LIVE. THE HAVE TO ASK FOR THE PRESCRIPTION THREE TIMES. >> CANCER IS A RELENTLESS AND WILY FOE. IT WEARS ITS INSIDIOUS HEAD OF ITS OWN TIME AND CHOOSING. IF ONE DAY, MY DISEASE OUTRUNS AVAILABLE TREATMENT OR TREATMENT OPTIONS RUN DRY, THEN I WANT THE OPTION TO START MAPPING OUT NEXT STEPS. DAVID: THE MARYLAND CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OPPOSES THE MEASURE SAYING IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO LEGISLATE PROPER SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT MARYLAND FROM THE DANGERS OF LEGALIZED PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS TO HIS SIDE WHICH THREATENS MARYLAND’S MOST VULNERABLE, PUTTING THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, THE ELDERLY, OUR VETERANS AND THOSE BATTLING OPIOID ADDICTION AT GRAVE RIS

Significant changes are expected to the End of Life Option Act.Bill supporters contend one potential amendment may make carrying out the act impossible to do.Possible changes to the bill include requiring patients to undergo a psychiatric exam and making sure finances are not part of the decision-making."This is probably the most emotional pieces of legislation we have before the General Assembly this year," said Sen. Will Smith, D-Montgomery County, the bill's sponsor. Supporters of legalizing the End of Life Option Act vow a full court press to keep the legislation that has already passed the House unchanged. Amendments expected to come up in a Senate committee include requiring patients to see a mental health professional before life-ending medication could be prescribed and ensuring that finances are not part of the decision."As someone who has been receiving medical treatment for metastatic stage IV breast cancer for six years, it means everything to me that this bill will give me the option to die peacefully and end my suffering," said Marcie Gray Rubin, of Chevy Chase.The House bill allows a doctor to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to an adult patient who has a terminal illness with a diagnosis of less than six months to live. The patients have to ask for the prescription three times, at least once in writing with a witness. They must also take the medicine themselves."Cancer is a relentless and wily foe. It rears its insidious head at its own time and choosing. If one day my disease progresses faster than a treatment can work or if there are no more treatment options, or my immune system shuts down, then I should have the option to map out the next steps," said Carol Preston, of Rockville.The Maryland Catholic Conference opposes the measure, stating, "It is impossible to legislate proper safeguards to protect Maryland from the dangers of legalized physician-assisted suicide. Assisted suicide threatens Maryland's most vulnerable, putting those with disabilities, the elderly, our veterans and those battling opioid addiction at grave risk."A Senate committee is expected to take up the House bill next week.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. —

Significant changes are expected to the End of Life Option Act.

Bill supporters contend one potential amendment may make carrying out the act impossible to do.

Possible changes to the bill include requiring patients to undergo a psychiatric exam and making sure finances are not part of the decision-making.

"This is probably the most emotional pieces of legislation we have before the General Assembly this year," said Sen. Will Smith, D-Montgomery County, the bill's sponsor.

Supporters of legalizing the End of Life Option Act vow a full court press to keep the legislation that has already passed the House unchanged. Amendments expected to come up in a Senate committee include requiring patients to see a mental health professional before life-ending medication could be prescribed and ensuring that finances are not part of the decision.

"As someone who has been receiving medical treatment for metastatic stage IV breast cancer for six years, it means everything to me that this bill will give me the option to die peacefully and end my suffering," said Marcie Gray Rubin, of Chevy Chase.

The House bill allows a doctor to prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to an adult patient who has a terminal illness with a diagnosis of less than six months to live. The patients have to ask for the prescription three times, at least once in writing with a witness. They must also take the medicine themselves.

"Cancer is a relentless and wily foe. It rears its insidious head at its own time and choosing. If one day my disease progresses faster than a treatment can work or if there are no more treatment options, or my immune system shuts down, then I should have the option to map out the next steps," said Carol Preston, of Rockville.

The Maryland Catholic Conference opposes the measure, stating, "It is impossible to legislate proper safeguards to protect Maryland from the dangers of legalized physician-assisted suicide. Assisted suicide threatens Maryland's most vulnerable, putting those with disabilities, the elderly, our veterans and those battling opioid addiction at grave risk."

A Senate committee is expected to take up the House bill next week.

Supporters of End of life option act worry potential Senate amendments will make carrying out medically assisted suicide impossible. One requires a psych exam of the patient. pic.twitter.com/GHrAw9pSy6